Super Lawyer

Tag: GNLU

  • Sukrit Kapoor on Summer Schools, LL.M. from Essex University & a career in International Human Rights Law

    Sukrit Kapoor on Summer Schools, LL.M. from Essex University & a career in International Human Rights Law

    Sukrit Kapoor had graduated from GNLU, Gandhinagar in 2011. Thereafter he pursued an LL.M. in human rights law from Essex University. Being an international law enthusiast he worked at Gaza Strip for the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and submitted reports to the UN. He also worked as a Refugee Status Determination Assistant at the UNHCR for quite some time and had joined Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative yesterday.

    In this interview Sukrit tells us about:

    • Attending Summer Schools
    • LL.M. in International Human Rights from Essex University
    • Competing in Concours Jean Pictet
    • Pursuit of a career in International Human Rights
    • Work experience at Gaza Strip

     

    Hi Sukrit! How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

    I completed my undergrad studies from GNLU in 2011 and immediately followed it up with a postgrad degree in international human rights and humanitarian law from the University of Essex in 2012. Despite being a law graduate I can’t exactly classify myself in the conventional binary of corporate lawyers and litigators, as I like to think of myself as an international law enthusiast with an interest and focus on humanitarian issues. I have recently joined an international NGO, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, as a Research Officer and I have previously worked with UNHCR in India and with another NGO in the Gaza Strip.

     

    Please tell us about what life was like in GNLU? What all activities did you pursue while on the course and how did they shape your career?

    For me GNLU, and law for that matter, happened by pure accident. I took up commercial studies during high school and easily envisioned myself becoming a typical number-crunching chartered accountant someday. However, a family friend suggested that having a base in law would boost my accountant pursuits. I ended up in GNLU with absolutely no clue, except for some very clichéd ideas, about lawyers and what they do. Needless to say, I was very lost from day one which lead to my becoming further disinterested in corporate or commercial studies. Luckily for me, I had become friends with two senior students, Kumar Ankit and Hardik Dave, who were seriously involved in establishing the Legal Services Committee and the legal aid clinic at GNLU, and with some encouragement from them I volunteered for the committee in its initial year and got accepted as a member the next year.

    Working with the clinic got me really interested in civil and social issues, but back then I didn’t think I could do similar work for a good part of my life. Interestingly enough, I ended up doing a non-legal marketing internship during my second year and followed it up with an LPO internship with the hope of combining my legal and business skills in the legal outsourcing setting. While interning at the LPO, I got the opportunity to prepare a research brief on international refugee law for an American lawyer who was helping a Haitian asylum-seeker seek refuge in the US and the court ruled in our favour. That satisfaction clicked so well for me that I decided to specialize in international law with a focus on human rights, migration issues, and armed conflicts. Thankfully, the course at GNLU was long enough to allow me to shoot some arrows in the dark while identifying my true interests, and also help me work towards them.

     

    You have attended a couple of summer schools. What are the aspects you considered while opting for these courses? Would you recommend law students to opt for these courses over an internship?

    I attended three summer courses during my undergrad studies. The first one was an Introduction to International Law at the Indian Society of International Law in Delhi. I attended that course immediately after my first year in law school, purely out of curiosity. The next summer school I attended was on International Affairs and Multilateral Governance: Global Migration, Cooperation and Development at The Graduate Institute of International and Developmental Studies, in Geneva and after that I participated in a programme on Protecting Human Rights Through United Nations Mechanisms, at the Human Rights Law Centre of the University of Nottingham.

    Once I got clarity on the kind of work I enjoyed and the area I wanted to specialize in, the next obvious thing on my list was to garner skills, aptitude, and acumen essential for further pursuing my interests. I reckoned these summer schools were ideal for this purpose. They seemed to be a better and wiser investment over an internship because for they offered me a broader, better and more practical understanding on issues beyond the ordinary textbook perspective, which seemed quite impossible through an internship. Also, professionals from various international organizations taught the course and I even got to visit these organizations’ headquarters and get an idea of their functions.

    So my general advice to one and all will be to opt for opportunities which will for sure help you learn and attain proficiency, and it can be through an internship, a summer school, a moot court or essay writing competition, or for that matter anything else. Remember to do the time-investment-benefit analysis and choose the best way you think you will learn.

     

    Following up on that, how have these summer courses helped you?

    They have helped me immensely. This might sound a little like Steve Jobs’ Stanford speech where he explains about connecting the dots and how you can only do it looking backwards, but the best example I can give is that my current job with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative requires me to be proficient and thorough with international human rights mechanisms, so much so that among other essentials this was mentioned as a must-have in the job description. Also, attending these summer courses helped me understand the teaching methods employed by foreign educational institutions, which in turn prepared me to pursue my masters more efficiently.

     

    sukrit-k2Why did you decide to pursue an LL.M.? What made you choose the University of Essex? Were you considering other universities too?

    I wanted to learn more about working in the realm of human rights, migration, and armed conflicts and the LL.M. at Essex helped me do that and more. I was definitely considering other universities with great repute for masters in international law like Oxford, Columbia, Nottingham, ADH Geneva, but what attracted me towards Essex was that the academics there are professionals with years of experience, including former UN Special Rapporteurs, members of UN treaty bodies, advisers to a range of international organizations (like the OHCHR, UNHCR and WHO), as well as to NGOs around the world, and litigators before national courts, regional human rights commissions and courts, international courts and tribunals, and the UN treaty bodies.They contribute to academia by bringing a remarkable element of practicality in their teachings. Moreover, Essex happens to be the first university in the world to establish a dedicated LL.M. in the area of human rights and this ensured a very strong and omnipresent alumni. The human rights alumni are often called the Essex Mafia, because they are quite literally working in every region of the world with numerous organizations.

     

    You also participated in the Concours Jean Pictet while studying at Essex. Can you tell us what it is and about your experience competing in it?

    Concours Jean Pictet was one of the highlights of my Essex experience. It is a fascinating, a first-of-its-kind international humanitarian law competition which is held in a different country every year, having been held in South Africa when I participated. Each year, an impressive group of people working with organizations like ICRC, UN, international tribunals, and some academics organize this competition. It is a week-long competition where these experts cook up a hypothetical armed conflict situation which develops as each day passes and the teams participate in a range of simulations where they exhibit their knowledge of IHL and other related subjects while playing different roles of military officers, representatives of the Red Cross, armed rebels, human rights organizations and government lawyers.  Apart from reaching the semi-finals of the competition I made some really amazing friends from differentparts of the world. I strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to specialize in IHL.

     

    You have been closely associated with human rights ever since GNLU. Why did you choose to work in this field over a lucrative job at a law firm?

    Given the way my career interests shaped up during and post-GNLU, like I have explained earlier, I think it is this field which chose me rather than the other way around and although I am not averse to working with law firms, it isn’t something that I really wanted to do. Simply put, I realized what I enjoyed doing and kept pursuing it.

     

    How did you start working for the UNHCR? What was your job profile there?

    I stumbled upon the opportunity to work with UNHCR while I was in the Gaza Strip, and got selected for the job after taking a written test and appearing for an interview. I worked with UNHCR as a Refugee Status Determination Assistant, which basically means that I primarily assisted the Office in determining whether an asylum-seeker is a refugee under UNHCR’s mandate or not. I did so by meeting with the concerned asylum-seekers and interviewing them to collect their statements and other relevant information that can be used as evidence. I would then legally analyze and assess their application after thoroughly researching upon their background and the human rights situation in their respective countries of origin. Along the way, I also delivered a lecture at the Indian Society of International Law on behalf of UNHCR and assisted the Chief of Mission in preparing a speech.

     

    You quit your job at UNHCR recently and are now working with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Why this change?

    I now work as a Research Officer with CHRI’s Strategic Initiatives Programme, which means I monitor, research, and report on human rights issues in various Commonwealth countries; assist the organization with its advocacy initiatives at the UN, Commonwealth, and other appropriate international human rights forums and mechanisms; and network with human rights organizations in various countries. I did something similar to this in the Gaza Strip while working with an NGO there and realized that my skills are better utilized in such a role. Perhaps you can say that I sort of graduated to this job and hence, the change.

     

    Tell us about some of your experiences in the Gaza Strip. How has it changed your perspective?

    I landed up in Gaza straight out of university and worked there with the International Unit of Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR). I was tasked with preparing two reports on the challenges faced by Palestinian civilians in accessing appropriate judicial mechanisms and the difficulties they face in seeking reparations for damages and losses suffered by them owing to armed violence. Thanks to my brilliant colleagues, I further got the opportunity to assist PCHR with submitting various reports to the UN, representing PCHR at international conferences and facilitating partnerships with other NGOs. One of the most interesting assignments I got to work on was preparing reports on the impact of armed drones on civilians in the Gaza Strip which were submitted to the UN Special Rapporteur on promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

    Many-a-times, I would get frustrated with the general lack of clarity on the application of some fundamental principles of international law to the situation in Gaza, but overtime I realized that such difficult situations can’t be addressed solely from a legal perspective but principled diplomatic and political measures needed to facilitate the effective implementation of law.

    I can easily call it one of the most enriching experiences in both personal and professional terms as Gaza has a charm to itself which is reflected in its people despite all the difficulties surrounding the region. Thankfully, with a lot of support from my family, lovely colleagues, and friends I managed to successfully complete my assignments there. Something that I will always cherish is how some of my Israeli friends checked on me during escalations in armed violence, while I was in Gaza.

     

    Lastly, what would be your advice to law students in a sentence or two?

    In a sentence or two, it is very easy to lose one’s individuality when one competes in a herd, so don’t settle for something you don’t enjoy, since to succeed naturally, one needs to genuinely love what they do. Just stop being a “rat” and you’ll definitely win the “race”. 😉

  • Nimisha Mund, GNLU, on securing a PPO, her diverse internship experience, and the importance of extracurricular engagements

    Nimisha Mund, GNLU, on securing a PPO, her diverse internship experience, and the importance of extracurricular engagements

    Nimisha Mund is a student of GNLU, batch of 2015.  She has interned with the likes of O.P. Khaitan & Co., Solicitors & Advocates, Phoenix Legal, and Trilegal. During her time as an undergraduate she has also participated in the Herbert Smith Freehills NUJS Moot Court Competition, 2013, 15th DM Harish International Moot Court Competition, 2014 (on Public International Law), has been a member of the Legislative Drafting Clinic for the “Trade Secret Bill” under the guidance of Ms. Kalpana Reddy, First Secretary for Intellectual Property, Embassy of the United States of America, India and Mr. Hitesh Barot, Senior Intellectual Property Counsel & Vice President, Technology Policy, GE India. Her other accomplishments include being Student Research Assistant in the Microsoft Research Chair, established in GNLU and being the Elected Female Representative of GNLU, batch 2010-15.

    Nimisha has secured a pre-placement offer from Trilegal an astounding one year and seven months prior to the completion of her degree.

    In this interview we speak to her about:

    • Importance of extra-curricular activities
    • Securing top-notch law firm internships
    • And working at a top law firm and getting a PPO

    Tell us a bit about your life before college; did you have lawyers in your family?

    Well, my pre-college life did not feature anyone from the legal fraternity in it. What it did feature, however were inspiring individuals who allowed me to imbibe the qualities, which, I’d like to believe make me a good lawyer. Pre-college life otherwise was fun, much more relaxed. I played a lot of sports, and read a lot through school but inherently was the same- I approached everything with the tenacity of a bloodhound!

    Why did you decide to study Law? What inspired you to do so?

    In the beginning it was quite by accident. I had intended on concentrating on preparation for other entrances and the course I took for a month offered an hour of law coaching for four Saturdays. Once I saw the extent of analysis involved in the legal education, I, frankly, was hooked. Thereafter I decided there was no other vocational calling for me. And then of course, there’s the brass tacks!

    How important is it to have publications to your name?

    The gold stars on the CV have been identified as such because of what they show about the lawyer and not the other way round. I believe there is no better way to exhibit your legal acumen and yes, to add to your CV. Though this I feel is contingent on your manner of writing. Its about taking a stance and not just assimilating and disseminating the jurisprudence on the topic.

    How was this novel experience of working with Ms. Kalpana Reddy?

    A very rewarding experience. Learning the nuances of drafting a legislation, choosing the best from foreign legislations, interviewing the stakeholders and learning how to plug loopholes in the law is something, the gains of which I shall carry throughout my life as a lawyer. And the best part is still to come…that is when you look at that piece of legislation once it gets passed and say, Hey! I helped draft that!

    How important are extracurricular engagements?

    Extremely important. And I cannot stress on this enough. It’s a run of the mill answer but that does not take away from the truth of it- that it gives you the skill of being a good team worker bracketed by the ability to hold your own as a leader. More specifically to sports, the way you learn to push your boundaries is amazing.

    Our readers would be quite curious to know how you went about securing your internships.

    Some were on merit, while some were not. I had my heart set on Trilegal –especially after a talk we had from a Partner at Trilegal in our college, and each internship was undertaken to enable myself to deliver well at Trilegal and secure a placement. I planned to do this in the fourth year, but when our college called for internships in the third year, I decided I was prepared. One other important thing I did was, that rather than get more ‘names’ on my CV, I interned at the same place again, because that allowed me to get better work, and learn a lot more, as then they trust your capabilities.

    Did you stagger your internships throughout law school as part of a deliberate plan or did it all just happen by chance?

    Very much deliberate. Some things in corporate law really impressed me. Taking the common example of securitization for instance—such ‘man-made processes’ (for want of a better word)—the fact that people thought of such efficient systems really intrigued me. I continued with corporate law in most internships and that held me in good stead.

    While there is nothing better than hands-on-experience, one shouldn’t undermine the education you get in a classroom. Citing a simple example, while you’re at your internship, its much easier to navigate your way through laws when you are given a proposition, if you’ve studied the law beforehand.

    What kind of work did you have to do during your internships?

    Well everyone gets menial work once in a while, I did too. Take everything positively. Getting a document to proofread is still an opportunity to dissect the agreement, find out what are the boiler-plate clauses (the must haves). Few are wise enough to avail of such opportunities.  Besides that I’ve been  lucky to be given some fantastic work as well. I’m a total sucker for an innovative argument, so any proposition that had me look totally out of the box, and I loved it.

    How must one go about organising their internships?

    Well, one must start out with a litigation internship in my opinion. If you intern at a firm in the early years, it won’t really be a mutually beneficial experience, that is to say that the firm might not really gain from your contribution, but it is indisputable that you will. It might even give you an edge over others. But keep in mind that there is a high attrition rate from firms so if one day you wish to leave that field and start litigation, you should have some experience to fall back upon.

    What do you think an intern should accomplish in the course of their internship to get a “callback”?

    Diligence as well as intelligence. Deliver work on time and once you’re done you should be able to go and brief the person who allocated the work to you in the best manner. Soft Skills are important. To perform better, I’d say there’s nothing like a good dose of curiosity! Don’t shy away from asking the lawyer the background that they want the research in, it’ll give you a deeper understanding of the way things work. A simple example being, that what you might have thought was a simple research point on contingent contracts might actually be to build an argument for option contracts and the lawyer was too busy to tell you that. So ask away.

     

    Did you have to undergo an interview before securing your PPO?

    Yes, I had an interview with barely an hour’s notice! Thankfully I was abreast with the latest developments in the corporate world. The most important factor is knowing all the work in your CV in and out. Not just that but all the latest developments and anything ancillary to that. Confidence in an interview is extremely important. My advice to all reading this is that there’s one thing you constantly need  to question- “why me”. Why should they pick you out of the hordes of applicants. Everybody can have an answer, it’s hardly the holy grail and it not only increases your confidence but will shine through to your interviewer. Yet more important is that you know your audience, gauge your interviewer’s style, you need to know when you have to have the tact to swallow back an acerbic retort, as it’ll be frowned upon and when it will be appreciated.

    How important are good grades in securing a job?

    I’d say its extremely important. I’m not a topper. But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have a great CGPA. It’s just that you have to compensate by performing much, much better.

    What should one law student aspiring for a job at top law firms do?

    I know it’s a cliché but there is no substitute for hard work. Couple that with smart work, i.e. knowing the right websites to keep you updated etc. and I think everyone will have the right concoction.

    Lastly, what would be your message to our readers?

    I’d say that we’re lucky to be in a profession where our job need not be just a means to an end. We don’t have to be just chanting “TGIF” and plod doggedly through the week but actually enjoy our work, its dynamic and analytical nature. So keep that in mind, enjoy your work, be opinionated and on a more serious note, if you pick a niche area in your work, pick it wisely.

  • Aonkan Ghosh, student, GNLU, on bagging high profile internships, application procedures, and how to convert them into jobs

    Aonkan Ghosh, student, GNLU, on bagging high profile internships, application procedures, and how to convert them into jobs

    Aonkan Ghosh graduated in law from GNLU, batch of 2009. He has had a series of successful internships during his time an an undergraduate.

    In this interview we talk to him about:

    • Approaching the right firms for internship opportunities
    • Trying to get a versatile internship experience
    • Building contacts and converting internship opportunities into prospective jobs

     

    What have been some of your internships so far?

    Well, I have interned at JSA, Gurgaon, Luthra & Luthra, New Delhi, Kachwaha & partners, New Delhi and Wadia Ghandy, Bangalore.

     

    What is the procedure to apply to these law firms?

    In your junior years I would say, it’s more about luck and persistence but apart from that, I think you should apply to as many places as possible 4-6 months in advance, follow up in general by calling and sending them emails, so that they feel that you are really interested in interning with them and just hope to get an internship!

     

    What was the kind of work allotted to you during your internships?

    I have to say, these law firms have a lot of work and a bit of that chunk is allotted to interns. I have dealt with matters related to due diligence and private equity transactions. I was asked to make research notes and opinions on the aspects of company law. While interning in these top law firms, I even got exposed to indirect taxes and learnt a great deal about arbitration, especially at Kachwaha. I worked with the corporate team and the litigation team both, so I got a chance to experience both kinds of work. Through my internships I have developed a fondness for the subject!

     

    How has your internship experience been?

    The experience was really thrilling. I got to interact with a lot of people and I was lucky to learn a lot from the associates. In law school you read the law but while interning you get to apply it, so overall I got to learn more about law and its application from my internships.

    What is the kind of work environment that you experienced in law firms?

    The internships were an incredible experience. The partners and the associates were extremely hardworking. Interns are also given a lot of work which might not be interesting but at the same time you get to gather a lot of knowledge and I personally did not face much of a problem in working for long hours because a lot of us are used to pulling off all-nighters in law school.

     

    What are the things an intern should keep in mind to get a call back?

    Diligence at work is the most important thing. You can’t be afraid to take initiatives. As an intern you are allowed to make a few mistakes but at the same time you are expected not to repeat them. The conduct of an intern is expected to be highly professional because it is something which is strongly taken into consideration.

     

    What do you think is important to convert a good internship into a job?

    It usually takes more than an internship to secure a job at a particular law firm. For an intern it is extremely important to be patient and wait for the right time to come. Try getting exposed to as many practise areas as you can and not just one. Another important factor is that as an intern you have to be presentable. If you keep all these things in mind then I think you should keep your fingers crossed and hope for a job.

     

    Which was the best law firm internship you have experienced?

    Nothing in particular; as in I won’t single out any firm but I learnt a great deal from all my internships. The experience was very pleasing and I was amazed at the professional conduct of the law firms.

     

    What do law firms consider the most while hiring?

    The pre-requisites are usually display of good academic record, your ability to work hard, then… how well you can apply your mind to situations, your ability to grasp and your awareness of current legal issues.

     

    Do the law firms usually provide the candidates with an option to work with the teams of their choice while recruiting?

    Well… definitely they ask you about your preference but the final decision is with the firm. They hire as per their requirements. Usually the recruiters decide the department which they think would suit you the most, so that you can grow as a professional and succeed.

    There is this general notion about AMSS being a GPA oriented firm. What is your take on that?

    They do take your GPA into consideration like other law firms but apart from the GPA they take your resume into consideration as a whole. I personally think that this notion is misplaced because the interviews for the top law firms are very stringent and even your extra-curricular activities are taken into consideration!

    What would be your advice to the law students who aspire to secure a job at top law firms?

    I think that the aspirants should develop the habit of reading. It is very important to build a knowledge base because it helps a lot in the future and if it is done passionately, then you can push yourself to the limit. Hard work is something very important, whether it is an exam or an internship, so keeping these things in mind is essential to be best prepared for an opportunity.

  • Vikrant Pachnanda, Masters candidate, Cornell University, on being the founder of the India Law Journal, and plans for the future

    Vikrant Pachnanda, Masters candidate, Cornell University, on being the founder of the India Law Journal, and plans for the future

    Vikrant Pachnanda graduated from GNLU in 2011. While in college, he founded the widely successful India Law Journal. He is also a senior editor for SILC (Standard Indian Legal Citation), which aims at providing uniform legal citations for Indian sources that are usually not covered by other standard citation formats. He is currently on his way to Cornell University for his LLM.

    In this interview, he talks to us about

    • Founding the India Law Journal
    • Having ILJ copies at the International Court of Justice
    • Plans for the future

     

    Given that most of our readers are law students and lawyers, how would you introduce yourself to them?

    I passed out of Gujarat National Law University in 2011 and then joined Luthra & Luthra Law Offices as an Associate, where I was part of the team handling Mergers & Acquisitions, Aerospace & Defence, Anti-Bribery Compliance and Knowledge Management. Thereafter, I worked in the Chambers of Mr. Najmi Waziri, Chief Counsel for the Government of the National Capital Territory until his recent elevation as a Hon’ble Judge of the Delhi High Court. I am now on my way to Cornell University to pursue my LLM.

     

    Though it’s one of the most asked questions but yet, why law?

    I have always enjoyed speaking in public forums and thus developed my passion for wearing the black robes and arguing before a court of law.

     

    You are the founder of one of the most prominent journal, India Law Journal. How did you come up with the idea of creating something like this?

    During my first few months at law school, I had authored an article which I sent for publication to an international law journal. Although they liked my piece, they told me that since I was not a lawyer they could not publish the article, as they published only articles authored by lawyers and not law students. I wanted to create a platform dedicated to express views on topical legal issues, thereby generating a cross current of ideas on emerging matters. The aim was to ignite the initiative and desire of young law students to contribute in the field of law alongside soliciting the erudite response of legal luminaries.

     

    You have been running the India Law Journal for past five years or so. How is your experience so far?

    It’s been a fabulous experience. However, I would not like to take the credit alone, since it has been a team effort. I would like to thank the entire Editorial Team, who have all worked very hard in creating a platform which focuses on legal issues that are challenges before law makers, lawyers and the society at large, in an ever changing social, economic and technological scenario.

     

    The journal also found a place in the International Court of Justice. How did that happen?

    My Director at GNLU, Dr. Bimal N. Patel has been very supportive of this initiative and prior to joining GNLU as the Director, was working with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons which is situated at The Hague, Netherlands. It was his suggestion that I send a copy of the first Annual Issue of the ILJ, which was published around five years ago, to  the Peace Palace Library at the ICJ. Therefore, Dr. Patel very kindly put me in touch with the Director of the Peace Palace Library and ever since, copies of ILJ have been going there.

     

    Also, Congratulations on being selected for Cornell University. So what plans do you have once you finish your LLM?

    Well it’s too early to say now since I can only take a call on my next step once I reach Cornell and may be finish a semester.

     

    Last but not the least, what would be your message for law students?

    Well, I think one should do whatever their inner-voice says and what they feel they will enjoy doing the rest of their life.